Mayor Carl Verges pitched the first ball and Prof. Doering and the Battle Creek band played for the first game of the Drummers. A crowd of almost 2,000 fans including clerks and employees who had a half day holiday for the opening game attended the Drummers opening game in the Nebraska State League. The Drummers were leading until the last ninth inning when York scored three runs and won the game 3 to 1.

Norfolk started slowly and by June 1st the team was wallowing near the bottom of the league. "Babe" Towne was hired to take over the managers position. He replaced Warren Cummings. The Coon Rapids Iowa native played in 14 games for the White Sox in 1906 and had prior experience as a manager in the Western League.

Norfolk was one of the best baseball towns in the state during its tenure in the Nebraska State League. The town continued to be a baseball town in the 20's and in the 30's when the league was revived.

Bulletin boards for the league were placed in the towns Y.M.C.A. lobby and outside the building to keep track of each league game and league standings. During away games fans would crowd around the boards waiting for scores to be called in by phone and posted on the bulletin boards.

Ms. Thomas, director of music in the Norfolk schools, proposed that the ball club have a teachers day each week. She suggested an early dismissal for the school and special admission prices for teachers in order to allow the teachers and their pupils to attend the afternoon Drummers games.

Admission set a person back 25 cents with an additional 15 cents required for admission to the grandstands. Peter Stafford and Frank Fox were in charge of the gate admissions. R.B. McKinney officiated the telephone in the press box and called the scores to the Y.M.C.A. and opposing team headquarters after each inning. Gus Cades ran the refreshment booth and city water was available to the public for free.

Norfolk took the behavior of their fans seriously. In July a fan allowed the excitement of the moment to get to him and he used some inappropriate language The fans colorful colloquialisms were overheard by some of the ladies in the stands. The police were present and required the fan to issue a public apology. Police chief Jolly indicated that future improper language would result in an arrest and fine.

In August an employee of the state hospital was arrested and fined $7.50 for public statements of profanity in the presence of ladies. He was not in agreement with the call of an umpire and made his displeasure known by using unsuitable language.

In mid August, the police had a regular presence at the ball games. In a game with Beatrice, police chief Jolly, broke up a fight between the Beatrice third baseman Branon and umpire Dixon. According to the Norfolk paper, Branon attacked Dixon, Jolly intervened and arrested Branon. Branon was fined $7.50 in police court. After that the presence of the police chief was instrumental in reducing the number of bruhaha's on the diamond.

Roster:
Babe Towne played 57 games at first in 1914. He averaged .341. Babe started his career in 1902 with Rock Rapids. The 34 year old manager/player had a short stint in the major leagues.

Coble played 43 games at first and had a .227 average.

In the dirt at second was Hary Reis. He played for Fremont in 1913 and averaged .225 for Norfolk in 1914. .

Charles Melker was a regular at third and averaged .268. He played in the MINK league in 1912.

Short stop was handled by Brown. He tied for second in home runs for the year with 12 and had a .251 average.

Arch Turpin played in 86 games and averaged .206. He started with Fremont in 1910 and played for them through the 1913 season.

Harry Kempin was a 26 year old from St. Louis. He played in 57 games and averaged .295.

John Musser was behind the mask for Norfolk in 1914. He played for Auburn in the MINK league in 1911 and 1912, He averaged .191 for the year.

Outfield:

Ed Bright tied for second in home runs for the league with 12 and averaged .253. He and Brown were the heart of the power for Norfolk in 1912. Bright was another former MINK league player. He plaed for Auburn in 1910, 1911 and 1912.

Nee also played in the outfield for Norfolk and averaged .137.

George Miller played in 31 games and averaged .206.

Pitching:

J. Walworth had a 9-4 record.

Roy Getchell was 8-6.

Bert Reed was 14-11. He played for Auburn in 1912.

Vern Hirsh was 12-21. He was another MINK league Auburn player who moved to Norfolk in 1914. He pitched a one hit, 13 strike out game against Grand Island on June 29th.

Russell Routt was 3-8. He started his career with McPherson in the Kansas State League in 1909. He made it to the Western League in 1912 and spent the 1913 season with Fremont.

Everett Lane was 3-8. He played for Duluth in 1916.

Nebraska State League Standings 1914

Nebraska Minor League Baseball Home